Photos: John Glenn, First American in Orbit

By Space.com Staff |
December 8, 2016 04:15pm ET

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Godspeed, John Glenn

Credit: NASA

Editor's note: John Glenn, a legendary NASA astronaut and American hero, died on Dec. 8, 2016 at age 95. Read our full obituary here.
See photos from John Glenn's legendary career in spaceflight and public service here.

John Glenn Enters Friendship 7

Credit: NASA

On Feb. 20, 1962, John Glenn rode the Friendship 7 capsule into space, the first time an American orbited the Earth. In this image, Glenn enters the capsule with assistance from technicians.

Glenn Suits-Up for Launch

Credit: NASA

Astronaut John H. Glenn Jr. dons his silver Mercury pressure suit in preparation for launch. On February 20, 1962 Glenn lifted off into space aboard his Mercury Atlas (MA-6) rocket and became the first American to orbit the Earth. After orbiting the Earth 3 times, Friendship 7 landed in the Atlantic Ocean 4 hours, 55 minutes and 23 seconds later, just East of Grand Turk Island in the Bahamas. Glenn and his capsule were recovered by the Navy Destroyer Noa, 21 minutes after splashdown.

Launch of Friendship 7

Credit: NASA

This image shows the launch of Friendship 7, the first American manned orbital space flight. With astronaut John Glenn aboard, the Mercury-Atlas rocket is launched from Pad 14, February 20, 1962.

Have a Good Trip

Credit: NASA

Fellow Mercury astronaut Gus Grissom (in suit) wishes Shepard good luck as he gets set to climb into his Mercury capsule, dubbed Freedom 7, on the morning of May 5, 1961. Glenn looks on in the background.

Looking Back on Friendship 7

John Glenn Calls Bush Space Vision an Unfunded Mandate

Credit: AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta

Former astronaut and retired Ohio Sen. John Glenn testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington before the House Science and Technology Committee hearing on NASA's past accomplishments, and future opportunities and challenges, marking 50th anniversary of NASA.

In the White Room with John Glenn

Credit: NASA

In the launch pad's White Room, STS-95 Payload Specialist John H. Glenn Jr., U.S. Senator from Ohio, has his flight suit checked by closeout crew members before climbing into space shuttle Discovery for his second flight into space, which came 36 years after his Mercury launch. Glenn was the first American to orbit the Earth. The image was taken Oct. 29, 1998.

Astronaut U.S. Senator John Glenn

Credit: NASA/Robert Markowitz, Mark Sowa

STS-95 crewmember, astronaut and U.S. Senator John Glenn. Glenn was the first American to orbit the earth and returned to space in 1998 aboard a Space Shuttle flight.

STS-95 Takeoff

Credit: NASA

The STS-95 mission carrying Senator John Glenn launched on October 29, 1998

Glenn on Shuttle Middeck

Credit: NASA

STS-95 payload specialist John Glenn works with the Osteporosis Experiment in Orbit (OSTEO) experiment located in a locker in the Discovery's middeck.

Glenn Photographs from the Flight Deck

Credit: NASA

STS-95 Payload Specialist John Glenn positions himself to take photos from the Discovery's aft flight deck windows on Flight Day 3.

Glenn at the Cape

Credit: NASA

Astronaut John H. Glenn Jr. in his silver Mercury spacesuit during pre-flight training activities at Cape Canaveral. On February 20, 1962 Glenn lifted off into space aboard his Mercury Atlas (MA-6) rocket and became the first American to orbit the Earth. After orbiting the Earth 3 times, Friendship 7 landed in the Atlantic Ocean 4 hours, 55 minutes and 23 seconds later, just East of Grand Turk Island in the Bahamas. Glenn and his capsule were recovered by the Navy Destroyer Noa, 21 minutes after splashdown.

Astronaut, President & Cosmonaut

Credit: NASA

Second cosmonaut German Titov (right) appears with NASA astronaut John Glenn and President John Kennedy at the White House in 1962. Titov was in Washington to give his account of the Vostok 2 spaceflight to the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR). The twenty-five-year-old Titov was the youngest person to ever go into space - a record that still stands to this day.

John Glenn Official Portrait

Credit: NASA

John Glenn, official portrait, 1959.

Glenn in the Mercury Procedures Trainer

Credit: NASA

Glenn spent hours in the Mercury Procedures Trainer at NASA Langley.

John Glenn with His Wife, Annie

Credit: NASA

John Glenn explains a feature of the Mercury capsule to his wife, Annie, during one of her visits to NASA Langley in 1959.

John Glenn with President Kennedy

Credit: NASA

John Glenn, standing next to his Friendship 7 capsule in which he made his historic orbital flight, meets with President John F. Kennedy. Mrs. Glenn stands next to her husband. Earlier that day, President Kennedy presented the NASA Distinguished Service Award to Glenn.

50th Anniversary of the First Orbit of Earth by an American

Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

Sen. John Glenn speaks to guests at NASA's Future Forum at Ohio State University on Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, in Columbus, Ohio. Today marks the 50th anniversary of Glenn's historic flight. Glenn was the first American to orbit Earth.

50th Anniversary of the First American Manned Orbital Flight

Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

Sen. John Glenn, left, and NASA Administrator Charles Bolden speak to guests at NASA's Future Forum at Ohio State University on Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, in Columbus, Ohio. Today marks the 50th anniversary of Glenn's historic flight. Glenn was the first American to orbit Earth.

John Glenn at 50th Anniversary Press Conference

Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, seated right, and Sen. John Glenn address questions from the press during a briefing at Ohio State University as John Glenn's wife Annie Glenn, seated in red, looks on Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, in Columbus, Ohio. Today marks the 50th anniversary of Glenn's historic flight. Glenn was the first American to orbit Earth.

John Glenn's Orbital View

Credit: John Glenn/NASA

This panoramic view of Florida unfolded beneath astronaut John Glenn at the start of the third orbit during his historic spaceflight fifty years ago. On February 20, 1962, Glenn orbited the Earth in the Friendship 7 spacecraft, becoming the first American to achieve such a feat. In this photograph taken by Glenn out of the porthole, the Georgia border lies at right, under clouds, while Florida stretches out horizontally. The Earth lay 162 miles (260 kilometers) below.

Godspeed, John Glenn

See photos from John Glenn's legendary career in spaceflight and public service here.

John Glenn Enters Friendship 7

Credit: NASA

On Feb. 20, 1962, John Glenn rode the Friendship 7 capsule into space, the first time an American orbited the Earth. In this image, Glenn enters the capsule with assistance from technicians.

Glenn Suits-Up for Launch

Credit: NASA

Astronaut John H. Glenn Jr. dons his silver Mercury pressure suit in preparation for launch. On February 20, 1962 Glenn lifted off into space aboard his Mercury Atlas (MA-6) rocket and became the first American to orbit the Earth. After orbiting the Earth 3 times, Friendship 7 landed in the Atlantic Ocean 4 hours, 55 minutes and 23 seconds later, just East of Grand Turk Island in the Bahamas. Glenn and his capsule were recovered by the Navy Destroyer Noa, 21 minutes after splashdown.

Launch of Friendship 7

Credit: NASA

This image shows the launch of Friendship 7, the first American manned orbital space flight. With astronaut John Glenn aboard, the Mercury-Atlas rocket is launched from Pad 14, February 20, 1962.

Have a Good Trip

Credit: NASA

Fellow Mercury astronaut Gus Grissom (in suit) wishes Shepard good luck as he gets set to climb into his Mercury capsule, dubbed Freedom 7, on the morning of May 5, 1961. Glenn looks on in the background.

Looking Back on Friendship 7

John Glenn Calls Bush Space Vision an Unfunded Mandate

Credit: AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta

Former astronaut and retired Ohio Sen. John Glenn testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington before the House Science and Technology Committee hearing on NASA's past accomplishments, and future opportunities and challenges, marking 50th anniversary of NASA.

In the White Room with John Glenn

Credit: NASA

In the launch pad's White Room, STS-95 Payload Specialist John H. Glenn Jr., U.S. Senator from Ohio, has his flight suit checked by closeout crew members before climbing into space shuttle Discovery for his second flight into space, which came 36 years after his Mercury launch. Glenn was the first American to orbit the Earth. The image was taken Oct. 29, 1998.

Astronaut U.S. Senator John Glenn

Credit: NASA/Robert Markowitz, Mark Sowa

STS-95 crewmember, astronaut and U.S. Senator John Glenn. Glenn was the first American to orbit the earth and returned to space in 1998 aboard a Space Shuttle flight.

STS-95 Takeoff

Credit: NASA

The STS-95 mission carrying Senator John Glenn launched on October 29, 1998

Glenn on Shuttle Middeck

Credit: NASA

STS-95 payload specialist John Glenn works with the Osteporosis Experiment in Orbit (OSTEO) experiment located in a locker in the Discovery's middeck.

Glenn Photographs from the Flight Deck

Credit: NASA

STS-95 Payload Specialist John Glenn positions himself to take photos from the Discovery's aft flight deck windows on Flight Day 3.

Glenn at the Cape

Credit: NASA

Astronaut John H. Glenn Jr. in his silver Mercury spacesuit during pre-flight training activities at Cape Canaveral. On February 20, 1962 Glenn lifted off into space aboard his Mercury Atlas (MA-6) rocket and became the first American to orbit the Earth. After orbiting the Earth 3 times, Friendship 7 landed in the Atlantic Ocean 4 hours, 55 minutes and 23 seconds later, just East of Grand Turk Island in the Bahamas. Glenn and his capsule were recovered by the Navy Destroyer Noa, 21 minutes after splashdown.

Astronaut, President & Cosmonaut

Credit: NASA

Second cosmonaut German Titov (right) appears with NASA astronaut John Glenn and President John Kennedy at the White House in 1962. Titov was in Washington to give his account of the Vostok 2 spaceflight to the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR). The twenty-five-year-old Titov was the youngest person to ever go into space - a record that still stands to this day.

John Glenn Official Portrait

Credit: NASA

John Glenn, official portrait, 1959.

Glenn in the Mercury Procedures Trainer

Credit: NASA

Glenn spent hours in the Mercury Procedures Trainer at NASA Langley.

John Glenn with His Wife, Annie

Credit: NASA

John Glenn explains a feature of the Mercury capsule to his wife, Annie, during one of her visits to NASA Langley in 1959.

John Glenn with President Kennedy

Credit: NASA

John Glenn, standing next to his Friendship 7 capsule in which he made his historic orbital flight, meets with President John F. Kennedy. Mrs. Glenn stands next to her husband. Earlier that day, President Kennedy presented the NASA Distinguished Service Award to Glenn.

50th Anniversary of the First Orbit of Earth by an American

Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

Sen. John Glenn speaks to guests at NASA's Future Forum at Ohio State University on Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, in Columbus, Ohio. Today marks the 50th anniversary of Glenn's historic flight. Glenn was the first American to orbit Earth.

50th Anniversary of the First American Manned Orbital Flight

Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

Sen. John Glenn, left, and NASA Administrator Charles Bolden speak to guests at NASA's Future Forum at Ohio State University on Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, in Columbus, Ohio. Today marks the 50th anniversary of Glenn's historic flight. Glenn was the first American to orbit Earth.

John Glenn at 50th Anniversary Press Conference

Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, seated right, and Sen. John Glenn address questions from the press during a briefing at Ohio State University as John Glenn's wife Annie Glenn, seated in red, looks on Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, in Columbus, Ohio. Today marks the 50th anniversary of Glenn's historic flight. Glenn was the first American to orbit Earth.

John Glenn's Orbital View

Credit: John Glenn/NASA

This panoramic view of Florida unfolded beneath astronaut John Glenn at the start of the third orbit during his historic spaceflight fifty years ago. On February 20, 1962, Glenn orbited the Earth in the Friendship 7 spacecraft, becoming the first American to achieve such a feat. In this photograph taken by Glenn out of the porthole, the Georgia border lies at right, under clouds, while Florida stretches out horizontally. The Earth lay 162 miles (260 kilometers) below.